Suzuki Swift Review

For a school-run car, you can’t do much better than a Suzuki Swift, writes Tim Barnes-Clay.

This compact Japanese model has been around for a long time and is as reliable as an old friend.

It seats five people for short trips or four folk more comfortably for longer journeys. Furthermore, it’s a good-looking supermini that’s affordable to buy and run.

Now is an excellent time to consider purchasing a Swift because a new version was introduced this year (2024), resulting in many used, low-mileage examples available on the market.

The Suzuki is easy to drive, especially if you opt for the 1.2 SZ5 CVT version. It won’t outpace many other cars (0-62mph in 12.2 seconds), but it’s not the slowest either. Additionally, the CVT system, which automatically varies the actual gear ratio continuously, means you won’t be fatigued in stop-start traffic, reducing stress on busy mornings.

The Swift handles effortlessly. The steering is light, and the car is nimble, making it a cinch to manoeuvre through traffic.

The ride can be firm, especially over speed bumps near schools. The interior is full of hard plastics, so the cabin can bang and crash when tackling these ‘sleeping-policemen’ sometimes, but it’s no deal-breaker due to the Swift’s many other positive attributes.

The boot can accommodate your kids’ school bags, shopping, and work items. You can pack even more for longer trips, but given its small size (265 litres), you must be realistic about the cargo space.

The top-of-the-line Swift 1.2 SZ5 model has a mild hybrid system and all-wheel drive, which makes it efficient (55mpg) and provides excellent traction in all weather conditions.

If that’s not enough, an advanced forward detection system featured on the SZ5 boasts numerous safety technologies, with collision-mitigating Dual Sensor Brake Support being the most prominent.

When the Swift is travelling between approximately 3mph and 62mph, the system issues audio and visual warnings if it detects a risk of collision with a forward obstacle. If there’s a high chance of a collision and you panic and apply the brakes, the system activates brake assist, increasing the braking force.

As alluded to at the beginning, the Suzuki Swift should be high on your list if you’re considering a school-run car, whether new or used.